Prawn tawa masala is a delicious seafood dish where juicy prawns are cooked on tawa (griddle) along with onions & an aromatic blend of spices.
This is a mildly spiced and tangy semi-dry dish which is often served with tandlachi bhakri (rice bhakri), chapati or steamed rice.
This is a gluten-free, protein-rich, beginner-friendly easy-to-make recipe.
About Prawn Tawa Masala
Prawn tawa masala is a popular seafood dish known for its robust flavours. This is a quick & simple beginner-friendly dish that is often served with Indian flatbreads like bhakri, roti or phulka.
This dish gets its name from โtawaโ which means flat griddle which is used for cooking this prawn masala.
To make this prawn tawa masala, you can make use of fresh prawns or frozen prawns.
The masala often consist of finely chopped onions and spices which gives this prawn masala it distinctive flavour.
This is a very simple yet flavourful dish that brings the taste of coastal Indian cooking to your table.
Usually, prawn tawa masala is made using Iron tawa (griddle) which ensures that the heat is distributed evenly to cook the prawns.
Also cooking on iron tawa enhances the flavour of the dish.
In case you do not have an iron tawa (griddle) you may use a normal fry pan or non-stick tawa (griddle).
Recipe Video
ingredients
Prawns (Shrimps) โ We will need 200 grams of deveined prawns. You can use fresh prawns or frozen prawns here.
Onions โ We will require 3 large onions that need to be finely chopped. Onion makes the base for this prawn tawa masala.
Spices & Herbs โ We will need basic Indian spices such as turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and garam masala powder. You can also use malvani masala which imparts a nice flavour to this dish.
Apart from spices, we will also need ginger-garlic paste & green chillies for the heat.
Kokam / Lemon Juice โ We will need kokam, a dried tangy fruit which helps give a nice tangy zing to this tawa masala. In case, you do not have kokam, you can use the juice of half a lemon (1 tbsp)
Seasonings โ We will season this dish with salt.
Oil โ You can use any oil for making this prawn masala. I have used sunflower oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you prevent prawns from getting rubbery?
Prawns cook very quickly. They take hardly 3-4 minutes to cook, so avoid overcooking the prawns.
Also, cook prawns on medium to high flame to keep them tender and soft.
How to clean prawns for making prawn tawa masala?
Remove the shell, head & tail part. Devein the prawns and rinse thoroughly under tap water.
Pat dry before cooking.
Can we use frozen prawns instead of fresh prawns for this tawa prawn recipe?
Yes, frozen prawns can be used to make prawn tawa masala. Thaw them completely before cooking.
Is prawn tawa masala spicy?
The spiciness comes from the green chillies. You can adjust the level of spice according to your preference.
Can I add vegetables to prawn tawa masala?
Yes, vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, peas and mushrooms enhance the flavour & texture of this dish and add to its nutritional value.
Is prawn tawa masala gluten-free?
Yes, this is a gluten-free recipe.
How long does it take for prawns tawa masala to cook?
Prawns naturally cook faster. The entire process of making prawns tawa masala takes about 30 minutes.
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Variations
For the vegetarian version, you may use paneer (Indian cottage cheese), tofu or mixed vegetables.
You may also use eggs or chicken instead of prawns.
Serving Suggestions
Prawn tawa masala pairs well with flatbreads like rice bhakri, roti or steamed rice.
Serve it along with some solkadi by the side and do not forget to sprinkle some lemon juice while serving which adds a nice zing to these tawa prawns.
Storage Options
Prawn tawa masala stays good for 2 days when kept in a refrigerator. Store it in a container with a lid. Reheat before serving.
Related Recipes
How to make Prawn tawa Masala
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Recipe Card
Prawn Tawa Masala | Kolambi Tawa Masala | Spicy Shrimp Fry
Ingredientsย ย
- 200 grams Prawns (Fresh OR Frozen)
- 3 large Onion, finely chopped
- 2 Green Chillies, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Ginger-Garlic Paste
- 1 tablespoon Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Cumin Seeds Powder
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garama Masala Powder
- 5-6 Kokam Petals OR 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- Salt to taste
- 3 tablespoons Oil
Instructionsย
- Heat 3 tbsp of oil, add finely chopped onions.
- Saute onions for 5 minutes.
- Add finely chopped green chillies & ginger-garlic paste.
- Saute till the raw flavour from ginger-garlic fades away & onions soften.
- Once onions softens, add spices.
- Add, turmeric powder, kashmiri red chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder & garam masala powder.
- Mix spices with the onions. Add 1/4th cup of water to prevent spices from burning.
- Cook till oil separates from the masala.
- Add prawns and mix well.
- Add salt and kokam petals ( instead of kokam you can add 1 tbsp of lemon juice)
- Cover and let the prawns cook for 4-5 mintues on medium flame. Stir occassionally.
- Lastly, garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
- Prawn Tawa Masala is ready.
- Serve hot with steamed rice, neer dosa or roti.
